Too Low for Zero

Background

For the first time since Blue Moves in 1976, all lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin. At the insistence of Taupin, John decided to go back to basics and returned to working with Taupin full-time. John also reunited with the core of his backing band of the early '70s: Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone as well as Ray Cooper, Kiki Dee and Skaila Kanga (who played harp on John's self-titled album and Tumbleweed Connection).

Production

The album was produced by Chris Thomas and recorded at AIR Studios in Montserrat (the same studio for Jump Up!) and Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood.

For the first time since A Single Man, John played synthesizers in addition to piano, since James Newton-Howard left the band. John felt that synths allowed him to write better fast rock songs, having not been entirely happy with such compositions performed on piano.

The album was written and recorded in approximately two weeks, with overdubs completed in a week.

Releases

The original LP issue of the album featured a die-cut cover with a special inner sleeve. The four shapes shown on the cover were cut out, with the colours (shown as ink smears on the inner sleeve) showing through the holes. No CD release has duplicated these die-cuts.

All B-sides released on US singles from this time originate from his 1978 album A Single Man and the 21 at 33 sessions from 1980. They were also previously released on European singles. In the US, Too Low for Zero was certified gold in January 1984 and platinum in October 1995 by the RIAA.

Reception

Reviewing the album in Rolling Stone, Don Shewey commented, "Elton John and Bernie Taupin have written some great hit singles, but since the early Elton John LP, they have never produced an album of consistently first-rate material. And although Too Low for Zero is a big step up from losers like Blue Moves and A Single Man, it doesn't hang together, either." He praised the catchy energy of "I'm Still Standing", "Kiss the Bride", "Crystal", and "Too Low for Zero", and approved of the way those four songs synthesized stylistics from popular artists such as The Pointer Sisters and Joe Jackson. However, he felt the rest of the album suffered from poor lyrics, finding the morbidity of "Cold as Christmas" and "One More Arrow" to be especially distasteful.

Track listing

All music composed by Elton John, except where noted; all lyrics written by Bernie Taupin.

Side one

1. "Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)" – 4:19
2. "I'm Still Standing" – 3:02
3. "Too Low for Zero" – 5:46
4. "Religion" – 4:05
5. "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" (Music: John, Davey Johnstone) – 4:41

Side two

6. "Crystal" – 5:05
7. "Kiss the Bride" – 4:22
8. "Whipping Boy" – 3:43
9. "Saint" – 5:17
10. "One More Arrow" – 3:34

Bonus tracks (1998 Mercury reissue)

11. "Earn While You Learn" (Lord Choc Ice (John)) – 6:46
12. B-side of "I'm Still Standing" recorded in 1978 and withdrawn as a 12" picture disc-single.
13. "Dreamboat" – 7:34
14. B-side also recorded in 1978. Music by Elton John and Tim Renwick. Lyrics by Gary Osborne though not credited.
15. "The Retreat" – 4:46 (John, Taupin)
16. UK B-side from 1982 "Princess". recorded in 1979 August during the sessions for 21 at 33.

Though Chris Thomas was the album's original producer, Gus Dudgeon supervised the remastering for the 1998 Geffen re-release.

Personnel

On bonus tracks

Credits